Some of the biggest entertainment options for families are either watching a movie or show together, or visiting one of the hundreds of amusement parks worldwide. But, the two have become synonymous in several instances, like in Universal Studios, which built its theme park around its successful movie studio.
However, it's no longer enough for everyone's favorite movies and shows to have just one ride in an amusement park. Now fans want entire themed areas. Thankfully, parks have stepped up to the challenge of creating immersive and exceptional theme parklands for some of the most successful movie and television franchises of all time.
Avengers Campus - Marvel Cinematic Universe
There's no denying that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most successful films and television franchises of all time. While Marvel superheroes have been represented in amusement parks for decades, it wasn't until 2021 that they got their own dedicated theme parkland.
Avengers Campus is currently open in Disney California Adventure Park in California, and it is slated to open in Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Currently, the land includes two attractions, including the Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Avengers Campus also pays homage to several Marvel movies including Ant-Man and the Wasp with the Pym Test Kitchen dining location.
Cars Land - Pixar's Cars
While not necessarily Pixar's best movie franchise, Cars was one of the first Pixar films to get an entire land dedicated to it when Cars Land opened in June 2012 at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.
The area transports guests to Radiator Springs, complete with the Cadillac Mountain Range and a neon light show at night. It is extremely popular and includes 3 attractions, including the fan-favorite Radiator Springs Racers. Guests can also choose to dine at Flo's Cafe or gets some snacks from Sally's Cozy Cone Motel.
Galaxy's Edge - Star Wars
Walt Disney Imagineering's biggest immersive land venture to date has been the construction of Star Wars Galaxy Edge at both Disneyland Resort in California and Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida. For the first time ever, fans of the iconic Star Wars franchise got to step foot into the galaxy far, far away.
The land imagines a whole new planet, Batuu, which guests can explore as they embark on their own Star Wars story. Guests are able to pilot the Millennium Falcon, help the resistance take down the First Order, make their own lightsaber, and even try Luke's favorite drink: blue milk.
Jurassic World - Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park has long since been a staple in Universal Studios park, but it wasn't until recently that the iconic Steven Spielberg film got a land dedicated to the franchise at Universal Studios Japan.
In Japan, Jurassic Park includes two attractions: the iconic water ride that can be found at the two domestic Universal Studios and The Flying Dinosaur, the world's second-longest flying roller coaster. Thanks to the success of the newer films, the domestic parks have also revamped their Jurassic areas to include regular raptor training and dinosaur interactions.
Minion Park - Despicable Me/Minions
After the success of Illumination's Despicable Me franchise, the film spawned the prequel Minion series. While Despicable Me is found in all Universal Studios parks around the world, the Minions only have their own land in two: Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Beijing.
Dubbed Minion Park in Japan and Minion Land in Beijing, both offer guests the opportunity to interact with the hilarious yellow Minions. They both include the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride in addition to other attractions and shopping locations.
Pandora: The World Of Avatar - Avatar
James Cameron's Avatar was the highest-grossing film of all time for nearly ten years, which grabbed the attention of the Walt Disney Company. Wanting to expand Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, the company decided to partner with Cameron to bring the world of Avatar to life.
Pandora is one of the company's most ambitious projects and finally opened in May 2017. The land features the iconic floating mountain ridge, two attractions including the groundbreaking Flight of Passage, and of course, plenty of shopping and dining locations.
Smurf Village - Smurfs
Like Universal Studios, Motiongate Dubai created its theme park around several Hollywood films from DreamWorks, Columbia Pictures, and Lionsgate. The park, which opened in 2016, is currently home to the only Smurf Village in the world.
Obviously taking inspiration from the popular Smurfs franchise, Smurf Village allows guests to walk among Smurfs and their mushroom homes. The land includes five attractions ranging from play areas to a family roller coaster. The area also includes a live, interactive show where guests can talk to their favorite Smurfs.
Springfield U.S.A. - The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the most iconic animated series of all time and is home to one of the most beloved TV towns of all time: Springfield. Realizing the cult obsession with The Simpsons, Universal Studios jumped at the opportunity to dedicate a land to the historic sitcom.
Currently located in Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood, Springfield allows guests the chance to interact with their favorite characters and visit some of their favorite places in the show. Guests can grab a donut at Lard Lad Donuts, a drink at Moe's Tavern, and even ride a brand new attraction at KrustyLand.
The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter - The Harry Potter Franchise
Theme parklands were forever changed when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Universal Studios parks worldwide. Guests can currently visit Hogwarts in Hollywood, Orlando, and Japan; however, the best of the three is the Orlando location because it contains two "lands."
For the first time ever guests can walk the snowy pathways of Hogsmeade, have a wand select them at Ollivander's, and even wander the halls of Hogwarts while waiting in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Guests can also test out their magical abilities by casting spells around the land with their new wands.
Toy Story Land - Pixar's Toy Story
It was only a matter of time before Pixar's biggest franchise got a theme parkland of its own. Toy Story Land was first imagined in 2010 for Walt Disney Studio Park in Paris and can now be found in Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
Though the lands vary by location, they all "shrink" guests down to toy size for maximum fun. They also all offer unique ride opportunities from riding the memorable RC Racer to climbing aboard Slinky Dog in a variety of attractions.